Speculation is growing within diplomatic circles that former State Minister for Northern Uganda and former Principal Private Secretary to the President, Kenneth Omona, could be headed for one of Uganda's most prestigious foreign service assignments: Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The position is expected to fall vacant following the nomination of Ambassador Adonia Ayebare as the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs.
Ayebare, who has served as Uganda's Permanent Representative to the UN since 2017, was successfully vetted by Parliament's Appointments Committee on Tuesday and now awaits formal swearing-in.
While no official announcement has been made regarding Ayebare's successor in New York, recent developments have fueled speculation that Omona may already be preparing for the role.
Omona was dropped from Cabinet during President Museveni's latest reshuffle, with the Northern Uganda docket going to Agago Woman MP Beatrice Akello Akori.
At the time, many observers interpreted Omona's exit from Cabinet as a political setback. However, events that followed have painted a different picture.
On the very day his omission from the new Cabinet became public, Omona posted photographs of himself hiking the Agoro mountain ranges in Lamwo District. Alongside the images was a message that attracted limited attention at the time but now appears increasingly significant.
"I just hiked 1,700 meters above sea level on Agoro mountain ranges. As soon as I safely returned to the foot, I stepped into the diplomatic service. H.E. the President Yoweri Museveni has appointed me ambassador. I thank him very much for the opportunity to serve again," Omona wrote.
The statement appeared to confirm that while he had exited elective politics and Cabinet, he had simultaneously entered Uganda's diplomatic service.
Since then, Omona has largely remained out of the public spotlight. Unlike many former ministers who openly lobby for new appointments, he quietly departed for official assignments abroad.
Recent photographs and reports have shown him undertaking high-level engagements on behalf of President Museveni in several African capitals.
In the Central African Republic, he held discussions with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. He has also been involved in engagements with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Such meetings are typically reserved for trusted presidential envoys and senior diplomats, reinforcing perceptions that Omona is being positioned for a significant foreign service role.
Diplomatic observers note that Uganda's mission to the United Nations requires a politically experienced figure with direct access to the President and a firm grasp of regional and international affairs.
Omona's experience as Principal Private Secretary, Cabinet minister and presidential envoy places him among the few officials who fit that profile.
Notably, the former minister has maintained an unusual silence on social media since May 27, a departure from his normally active online presence. Sources familiar with diplomatic circles suggest he is already immersed in national assignments and may be awaiting formal deployment.
Whether New York is indeed his destination remains to be seen. But with Ayebare preparing to leave the United Nations for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Kenneth Omona increasingly appears to be among the strongest contenders to represent Uganda on the world stage.
